On Friday Attorney General Buddy Caldwell announced the State of Louisiana reached an arrangement with Texas incinerator Veolia Environmental Services and Louisiana hazardous waste landfill Chemical Waste Management to make sure that incinerator ash associated with the recent Dallas Ebola virus occurrence won’t be transported or disposed of in Louisiana,.

On Oct. 13 the Louisiana Attorney General’s office got a restraining order in the 19th Judicial District Court to briefly stop the transport of incinerated Ebola ash into Louisiana.
The temporary retraining order was extended on Oct. 21 at the request of all parties, before ultimately arriving at today’s agreement.

Attorney General Caldwell stated,”I am pleased today’s arrangement ends this chapter in the controversy of this transport and disposal of Ebola waste”

Heathrow Airport has announced plans to move an incinerator from Stanwell and make a 15 mile ‘green ring’ around town.

The airport said it shifted its plans after residents raised concerns over its plans to relocate its incinerator to the Bedfont Road area.

A Labour county councillor however has stated it is like moving pieces around a hockey board.

Stanwell and Stanwell Moor councillor Robert Evans stated:”I welcome very much the modifications and that is due to the strain placed on BAA by me and the Labour party.

“But neighborhood resident Andrew McLuskey has done all of the hard work.

“But in saying that, we’re still fighting away to stop growth happening at Heathrow whatsoever.

“There are still serious reservations and I do not believe an expansion of the airport is ideal for the area or the entire country.

“We are talking semantics here it’s a large growth in a very cramped area. It is like moving pieces around a chess board — whatever we do not like about Stanwell will be equally as massive someplace else.”

Changes to the programs include introducing a 15 mile’green corridor’ which will increase the amount of recreational space between town and a new car park south to the airport — which has also been reduced in size.

A new park and an all-weather sports pitch has been mooted for the area, as well as the potential construction of’balancing ponds’ to help restrain the launch of floodwater.

Roberto Tambini, chief executive of Spelthorne Borough Council, stated:”We are delighted that Heathrow has listened to and acted upon our own opinions in creating its updated expansion plans and that the residents of Spelthorne are provided a better deal as a outcome.

“I am certain that we can work together and that Heathrow will continue to listen to Spelthorne residents and demonstrate a flexible approach to prospective proposals.”

Some of those 16 billion of private money being spent will also be utilised to support the Environment Agency in creating flood prevention strategies to protect homes and land in the surrounding areas.

The airport has also announced plans to finance a new bypass to replace the existing A3044 in Colnbrook and Poyle to alleviate congestion difficulties.

John Holland-Kaye, chief executive of Heathrow stated:”The growth of Heathrow can bring significant benefits for local people as well as the UK economy.

“Along with bringing 50,000 new jobs and 10,000 apprenticeships, we can also improve the ecological landscape around the airport and mitigate some of today’s issues including road congestion and flooding. We continue to improve our strategies depending on the comments we receive.”

The Airports Commission is currently analyzing the situation for growth of Heathrow or Gatwick.

The Marine Forces Pacific lately held an ad hoc committee meeting with the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, Environmental Protection Agency, Tinian Mayor’s Office, Department of Public Works and Administration agents at the BECQ office on Middle Road to map out the directions to take relating to this potential solid waste solutions beneficial for both the military and the civilian inhabitants.

In light of this ongoing National Environmental Policy Act process on the construction of ranges and training areas on Tinian, the Marine Forces Pacific examined these choices and discussed these with the CNMI.

In analyzing these choices, the U.S. military held the premise that the present dumpsite situated at Puntan Diablo on Tinian — the area where the Chinese group of investors is planning to grow in an integrated hotel — will be shut and a transfer station is being considered.

MARFORPAC environmental specialist Sherri Eng said the dumpsite isn’t something that the military will be able to use.

Only by taking a look at the requirements and the benefits of the options explored, Eng said that the simplest are the off-island disposal.”

In choosing the off-island disposal alternative, the parties will have to check in the capability of the Marpi landfill to adapt the waste coming from Tinian — both military and civilian waste.

Eng, in a meeting with the regional regulatory officials and agencies walked them through the 3 systems being considered.

She stated that this system could cause significant waste reduction and energy production.

However, there are challenges to be met: siting and permitting, preserving consistent operations, the demand for waste and sorting monitoring, high first price, high maintenance cost and deadline for construction.

“Construction timeline is extended. It is not something that we can set up tomorrow,” said Eng.

Department of Public Works Secretary Martin C. Sablan mentioned about the CNMI getting an incinerator which it never used because of the problem of permitting through the regulatory agencies.

“Permitting was a issue,” said Sablan.

Choice 2: Fukuoka Landfill

The Fukuoka landfill is a new approach to handling solid waste. It is a semi-aerobic landfill with a leachate gathering pipe set up at the landfill floor that drains the leachate to a treatment facility.

This method does not require a synthetic lining.

But if that were to be pursued, Tinian will require an extra 15 hectares and the usage of certain construction material.

The MARFORPAC agents said they’ve conducted research on this particular method.

It was performed in Palau, Yap and American Samoa but nowhere else in the continental United States due to permitting.

“We have to find some type of waiver,” said Eng mentioning it isn’t a permitted system from the U.S.

However with Fukuoka method, there’s a potential to convert the existing dumpsite on Tinian.

As for leachate, the military is contemplating to upsize its waste water treatment center to adapt this if this would be the option to consider.

Since the Fukuoka landfill may require clay, Eng said their research showed the deficiency of the material on Tinian; however, it was suggested there’s a supply in Papago.

Choice 3: Off-island disposal

This alternative proposes to use the existing Marpi landfill.

With this option, Eng stated there will be no extra land requirements.

She explained this centralizes waste management program on Saipan.

But Eng was quick to point out that one of the challenges is how to manage the perception that Saipan becomes a dumping ground.

The military sees the need to upgrade shipping infrastructure.

“We are eager to accept military waste,” said DPW Secretary Martin C. Sablan.

He explained that they had excavated the floor to assemble the third cell of the landfill facility.

With this option, Eng assured that”anything we do, we are going to take the Tinian squander with us.”

Asked by DPW if the military were to foot the bill for shipping and transfer of this waste, Eng stated,”We agree to find the solution and expect to find the solution.” She explained she could not commit to anything.

Sablan said it’ll cost less for the military to deliver their waste to Saipan but the municipality will be needing assistance.

Feasibility study for three choices?

Eng pointed out that the choices needs to be brought down to two.

“I do not think we’ve got the time and cash to do all three,” she explained.

Transfer station is vital

As they mulled the prospective solutions to Tinian’s solid waste issues, Eng stated it is supposed that there’ll be a transfer station.

“Transfer station is important in these sytems,” she explained.

Closure of this dumpsite

Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz pointed out It Is not the responsibility of the developer to close the Present dumpsite at Puntan Diablo.

He, however, stated that Alter City has dedicated to supplying around $5 million in support.

Mayor Dela Cruz stated three years will be reasonable.

“That will permit the developer to work on the adjoining property,” he explained.

Alter City Group is proposing to build a golf course at the present site of the dumpsite.

Alter City dedicated to assist

At a hearing prior to the CNMI legislature a week, Alter City’s legal counsel Rober Torres stated,”Investor is prompted to assist in its elimination.”
By: http://www.mvariety.com/special-features/business-edge/70491-tinian-solid-waste-where-to-go

“That will allow the developer to work on the adjacent property,” he said.

Alter City Group is proposing to build a golf course at the current site of the dumpsite.

Alter City committed to assist

At a hearing before the CNMI legislature last week, Alter City’s legal counsel Rober Torres said, “Investor is motivated to assist in its removal.”
But he said the government too has to pitch in.
by: http://www.mvariety.com/special-features/business-edge/70491-tinian-solid-waste-where-to-go